Blower

ABSTRACT

A blower includes a housing unit, a fan blade unit, a driving device, a start capacitor, a switch device, and a power source device. The power source device is connected electrically to the switch device. The housing unit includes a driver housing for receiving the driving device, and a fan housing for receiving the fan blade unit. The driver housing includes a mounting recess. The housing unit further includes a cover plate for covering removably the mounting recess. The start capacitor and the switch device are disposed removably within the mounting recess, and are connected electrically to the driving device at the mounting recess.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a blower, and more particularly to a blower for inflating objects, such as inflatable toys and mattresses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a blower 1 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,516 includes a motor housing 11, a fan housing 12, a screen plate 13 spaced apart from the fan housing 12 and disposed on the motor housing 11, a motor 14 disposed within the motor housing 11, a fan blade unit 15 driven by the motor 14 and disposed within the fan housing 12, and a switch 16 disposed on the motor housing 11.

The motor housing 11 is disposed around an axis (I), defines an accommodating space 110 for receiving the motor 14, and has opposite first and second end walls 111, 112, a peripheral wall 113 interconnecting the first and second end walls 111, 112, and two spaced-apart support legs 114 connected fixedly to and disposed under the peripheral wall 113. The first and second end walls 111, 112 are formed respectively with first and second openings 115, 116 in spatial communication with and aligned with the accommodating space 110 along the axis (I). The first opening 115 is covered by the fan housing 12. The second opening 116 is covered by the screen plate 13. The motor 14 includes four connecting lugs 141. The peripheral wall 113 of the motor housing 11 has four connecting portions 117, and a plurality of vent holes 118. The connecting lugs 141 are fastened respectively to the connecting portions 117 by bolts to fix the motor 14 within the motor housing 11.

The fan blade unit 15 includes a pair of end plates 151 and a plurality of blades 152 connected between the end plates 151.

The switch 16 is connected electrically to a power cable (not shown) and the motor 14 at the accommodating space 110.

During use, an electrical plug (not shown) on the power cable is first inserted into an electrical socket (not shown). Next, the switch 16 is operated to activate the motor 14 to thereby rotate the fan blade unit 15. Hence, air is blown from an exhaust tube 121 of the fan housing 12 into an object (not shown), such as an inflatable toy and a mattress.

The blower 1 suffers from the following advantages:

-   (1) The motor 14 is an AC motor, and is used with a start capacitor     (not shown). During assembly, the start capacitor is connected     electrically to the motor, and subsequently an assembly of the start     capacitor and the motor is placed into the motor housing 11. The     switch 16 is connected electrically to the start capacitor. The     start capacitor and the switch 16 are easily damaged. When the start     capacitor or the switch 16 malfunctions, the motor 14 cannot be     rotated, and it is therefore necessary to remove the motor 14 from     the motor housing 11 for repair and replacement of the start     capacitor or the switch 16. However, removal of the motor 14 cannot     be performed unless the fan housing 12, the fan blade unit 15, and     the screen plate 13 are removed from the motor housing 11, thereby     resulting in difficulties in maintenance and repair of the blower 1. -   (2) When the motor 14 is operated, heat generates thereby. Although     air can flow onto the motor 14 via the screen plate 13 and the vent     holes 118 to dissipate heat from the motor 14, since the endplates     151 have flat outer surfaces, heat dissipated from the motor 14 is     limited, thereby reducing the service life of the motor 14. -   (3) The support legs 114 are disposed under only the motor 14. That     is, no support is disposed under the fan blade unit 15 and the fan     housing 12. As a result, the blower 1 is easily tilted and therefore     overturned. -   (4) Two lower ones of the connecting lugs 141 of the motor 14 have     an inclination angle of 45°, and are fastened respectively to the     connecting portions 117 by bolts. Since the motor 14 is heavy,     stress is concentrated at the parts of the connecting portions 117     engaging respectively the bolts due to a vibration generated during     operation of the motor 14. After a long period of use, such stress     concentration results in deformation of the motor housing 11. Thus,     the motor 14 cannot be positioned stably within the motor housing     11.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a blower that can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages associated with the prior art.

According to this invention, a blower includes a housing unit, a fan blade unit, a driving device, a start capacitor, a switch device, and a power source device. The power source device is connected electrically to the switch device. The housing unit includes a driver housing for receiving the driving device, and a fan housing for receiving the fan blade unit. The driver housing includes a mounting recess. The housing unit further includes a cover plate for covering removably the mounting recess. The start capacitor and the switch device are disposed removably within the mounting recess. Preferably, the start capacitor and the switch device are connected electrically to the driving device at the mounting recess.

When the blower malfunctions, the cover plate can be removed from the driver housing to allow for a check whether the switch device, the start capacitor (especially the electrical contacts thereof) need to repair or replace, thereby resulting in convenience in maintenance and repair of the blower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of a conventional blower disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,516;

FIG. 2 is a partly sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of a blower according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, partly sectional, partly exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating connections among a driving device, a switch device, a start capacitor, and a power source device;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how a fan housing is supported by two auxiliary support seats;

FIG. 7 is a partly sectional side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how the driving device is mounted in a housing unit; and

FIG. 8 is a partly sectional front view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the positions of a plurality of main blades, a plurality of auxiliary blades, and a motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the preferred embodiment of a blower according to this invention includes a housing unit 2, a fan blade unit 3 disposed in the housing unit 2, a driving device 4 for rotating the fan blade unit 3, a start capacitor 5 connected electrically to the driving device 5, a switch device 6 connected electrically to the driving device 5, and a power source device 7 connected electrically to the switch device 6.

The housing unit 2 includes a driver housing 21, and a fan housing 23 connected to and aligned with the driver housing 21 along an axis (II). The driver housing 21 includes a first accommodating space 210 for receiving the driving device 4. The fan housing 23 includes a second accommodating space 230 that receives the fan blade unit 3 and that is in spatial communication with the first accommodating space 210. The housing unit 2 further includes first and second screen plates 24, 25 disposed respectively on the driver housing 21 and the fan housing 23 such that air can flow into the first and second accommodating spaces 210, 230 through holes 241, 251 in the first and second screen plates 24, 25. The driver housing 21 further includes a mounting recess 220. The housing unit 2 further includes a cover plate 26 for covering removably the mounting recess 220. The start capacitor 5 and the switch device 6 are disposed removably within the mounting recess 220. Electrical contacts among the driving device 4, the start capacitor 5, and the switch device 6 are located in the mounting recess 220.

Preferably, the driver housing 21 includes a housing body 211 defining the first accommodating space 210, a main support seat 212 connected fixedly to and disposed under the housing body 211, two spaced-apart auxiliary support seats 213 (see FIG. 6) extending from the main support seat 212 and disposed under the fan housing 23 for supporting the fan housing 23, and a grip member 214 connected to and disposed above the housing body 211. The housing body 211 has a first end wall 215 abutting against the fan housing 23, a second end wall 216 opposite to the first end wall 215, and a peripheral wall 217 interconnecting the first and second end walls 215, 216. The first and second end walls 215, 216 are formed respectively with first and second openings 218, 219 in spatial communication with the first accommodating space 210. The first opening 218 is also in spatial communication with the second accommodating space 230 in the fan housing 23. The second opening 219 is covered by the first screen plate 24. The mounting recess 220 is formed in an outer surface of the peripheral wall 217. The grip member 214 is connected to and disposed above the peripheral wall 217.

The housing body 211 further has two spaced-apart upper positioning portions 221 disposed at the peripheral wall 217. With further reference to FIG. 7, the driver housing 21 further includes an inner positioning seat 222 extending upwardly from the main support seat 212 into the first accommodating space 210. The inner positioning seat 222 has two horizontal lower positioning portions 223. The driving device 4 includes a motor 41 disposed along the axis (II) for rotating the fan blade unit 3, and four connecting plates 43 extending from the motor 41 and connected respectively and fixedly to the upper and lower positioning portions 221, 223. In this embodiment, the connecting plates 43 are fastened respectively to the upper and lower positioning portions 221, 223 by bolts 40. Two lower ones of the connecting plates 43 are formed respectively with two horizontal plate portions 431 abutting respectively against the lower positioning portions 223.

With further reference to FIG. 5, the driver housing 21 further includes an outer mounting hole 224 disposed in proximity to the mounting recess 220 and formed through the peripheral wall 217, and an inner through hole 225 formed through the peripheral wall 217 and in spatial communication with the mounting recess 220.

Preferably, the fan housing 23 of the housing unit 2 includes a hollow cylindrical shield 231 connected fixedly to the driver housing 21 and in spatial communication with the first opening 218, and an exhaust tube 232 extending from a periphery of the shield 231 in a tangent direction and having an end distal from the shield 231 and defining an exhaust port 233. The exhaust port 233 is aligned with the fan blade unit 3, and is in spatial communication with the second accommodating space 230. The second accommodating space 230 is defined by the shield 231. The shield 231 is formed with an opening 234 that is spaced apart from the first opening 218 and that is covered by the second screen plate 25.

With further reference to FIG. 8, the fan blade unit 3 includes an inner end plate 31 connected to the motor 41 of the driving device 4 and rotatable about the axis (II), an outer end plate 32 parallel to and aligned with the inner end plate 31 along the axis (II), a plurality of main blades 33 connected between the inner and outer end plates 31, 32 and arranged around the axis (II), and a plurality of auxiliary blades 34 extending from the inner end plate 31 in a direction away from the main blades 33 and toward the driving device 4. When the main and auxiliary blades 33, 34 are rotated, air is drawn into the blower through the first and second screens 24, 25, and blown out of the blower through the exhaust port 233.

The driving device 4 further includes a start cable unit 44 extending from the motor 41 and connected electrically to the start capacitor 5, and a power cable unit 45 connected electrically to the switch device 6. The start cable unit 44 includes a positive cable 441, a negative cable 442, and two terminals 443 each connected to an end of a respective one of the positive and negative cables 441, 442. The power cable unit 45 includes a positive cable 451, a negative cable 452, a grounding cable 453, and three terminals 454 each connected to a respective one of the positive, negative, and grounding cables 451, 452, 453. The start cable unit 44 and the power cable unit 45 extend from the first accommodating space 210 into the mounting recess 220 through the inner through hole 225 to connect respectively and electrically with the start capacitor 5 and the switch device 6.

The start capacitor 5 is disposed on a side surface of the cover plate 26, and includes a capacitor body 51, and a pair of positive and negative contacts 52, 53 disposed on the capacitor body 51 and connected respectively and electrically to the terminals 443 of the start cable unit 44 at the mounting recess 220.

The power source device 7 includes an electrical plug 71 disposed for electrical connection with an electrical socket (not shown), an electrical cable unit 72 extending from the electrical plug 71 into the first accommodating space 210 through the outer mounting hole 224, and an anchor unit 73 sleeved on the electrical cable unit 72 and fixed within the outer mounting hole 224. The anchor unit 73 includes an externally threaded member 731 sleeved fixedly on the electrical cable unit 72 and abutting against a side surface of the peripheral wall 217, and an internally threaded member 732 engaging the externally threaded member 731 and abutting against an opposite side surface of the peripheral wall 217. The electrical cable unit 72 includes a positive cable 721, a negative cable 722, a grounding cable 723, and three terminals 724 each connected to a respective one of the positive, negative, and grounding cables 721, 722, 723. The positive and negative cables 721, 722 of the electrical cable unit 72 extend into the mounting recess 220 through the inner through hole 225.

The switch device 6 includes a switching key 61 disposed on and extending from the cover plate 26 in a direction away from the mounting recess 220, and a socket unit 62 disposed on the cover plate 26 and extending into the mounting recess 220. The switching key 61 is operable to switch the socket unit 62 between ON and OFF states. The socket unit 62 includes four conductive plates 621 in electrical contact with the terminals 724, 454 on the positive and negative cables 721, 722 of the electrical cable unit 72 of the power source device 7 and on positive and negative cables 451, 452 of the power cable unit 45 of the driving device 4, respectively. The terminals 724, 454 on the grounding cables 723, 453 of the electrical cable unit 72 of the power source device 7 and the power cable unit 45 of the driving device 4 are in electrical contact with each other so as to interconnect the grounding cables 723, 453 electrically.

To inflate an object (not shown), such as an inflatable toy and a mattress, the power source device 7 is connected to a power supply (not shown), and the switching key 61 of the switch device 6 is switched to the OFF state to activate the start capacitor 5 and the motor 41 of the driving device 4 to thereby rotate the fan blade unit 3 about the axis (II).

The position of the mounting recess 220 should not be limited. However, to promote safety of the blower during outside use, preferably, the mounting recess 220 is formed horizontally in the peripheral wall 217, and the cover plate 26 is vertical, and covers the mounting recess 220 to prevent flow of rainwater into the mounting recess 220, which will results in malfunction of the electrical components mounted therewithin.

In view of the above, the blower of this invention has the following advantages:

-   (1) When the blower malfunctions and when it is desired to repair     the same, it is only necessary to remove the cover plate 26 from the     driver housing 21 to expose the mounting recess 220. Hence, check,     repair, and replacement can be conducted with respect to the start     capacitor 5, the switch device 6, the electrical contacts between     the driving device 4 and the start capacitor 5, the electrical     contacts between the driving device 4 and the switch device 6, and     the electrical contacts between the switch device 6 and the power     source device 7, thereby resulting in convenience in maintenance and     repair of the blower. -   (2) Due to the presence of the auxiliary blades 34, when the fan     blade unit 3 is rotated, air flows over a side of the motor 41 to     dissipate heat therefrom, thereby increasing the service life of the     motor 41. -   (3) The housing unit 2 includes a main support seat 212 for     supporting the housing body 211 and the driving device 4, and the     auxiliary support seats 213 for supporting the fan housing 23. As     such, total contact area between the housing unit 2 and the ground     is sufficient. Therefore, during operation of the blower, a stable     support can be provided to the fan housing 23 and the housing body     211 to thereby prevent tilting and overturning of the blower. -   (4) The two lower connecting plates 43 are formed respectively with     the horizontal plate portions 431 abutting respectively against the     lower positioning portions 223 of the inner positioning seat 222, as     described above. Since the plate portions 431 are horizontal, the     motor 41 can be supported stably by the housing unit 2 due to a     large contact area between the motor 41 and the inner positioning     seat 222, thereby preventing deformation of the housing unit 2.

With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated by the appended claims. 

1. A blower comprising a housing unit, a fan blade unit disposed in said housing unit, a driving device for rotating said fan blade unit, a start capacitor connected electrically to said driving device, a switch device connected electrically to said driving device, and a power source device connected electrically to said switch device; Wherein said housing unit includes a driver housing, and a fan housing connected to and aligned with said driver housing along an axis, said driver housing including a first accommodating space for receiving said driving device, said fan housing including a second accommodating space that receives said fan blade unit and that is in spatial communication with said first accommodating space, said housing unit further including first and second screen plates disposed respectively on said driver housing and said fan housing such that air can flow into said first and second accommodating spaces therethrough, said fan housing further including an exhaust port in spatial communication with said second accommodating space, said driver housing further including a mounting recess, said housing unit further including a cover plate for covering removably said mounting recess, said start capacitor and said switch device being disposed removably within said mounting recess, electrical contacts among said driving device, said start capacitor, and said switch device being located in said mounting recess.
 2. The blower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driver housing further includes an outer mounting hole disposed in proximity to said mounting recess and formed through a wall of said driver housing formed with said mounting recess, and an inner through hole formed through said wall of said driver housing and in spatial communication with said mounting recess, said power source device including an electrical plug adapted for electrical connection with an electrical socket, an electrical cable unit extending from said electrical plug into said first accommodating space through said outer mounting hole, and an anchor unit sleeved on said electrical cable unit and fixed within said outer mounting hole, said anchor unit including an externally threaded member sleeved fixedly on said electrical cable unit and abutting against a side surface of said wall of said driver housing, and an internally threaded member engaging said externally threaded member and abutting against an opposite side surface of said wall of said driver housing, said electrical cable unit including a positive cable, a negative cable, a grounding cable, and three terminals each connected to an end of a respective one of said positive, negative, and grounding cables of said electrical cable unit, said positive and negative cables of said electrical cable unit extending into said mounting recess through said inner through hole.
 3. The blower as claimed in claim 2, wherein said driving device includes a motor disposed along said axis, a start cable unit extending from said motor and connected electrically to said start capacitor, and a power cable unit connected electrically to said switch device, said start cable unit including a positive cable, a negative cable, and two terminals each connected to an end of a respective one of said positive and negative cables of said start cable unit, said power cable unit including a positive cable, a negative cable, a grounding cable, and three terminals each connected to an end of a respective one of said positive, negative, and grounding cables of said power cable unit, said start cable unit and said power cable unit extending from said first accommodating space into said mounting recess through said inner through hole to connect respectively and electrically with said start capacitor and said switch device.
 4. The blower as claimed in claim 3, wherein said start capacitor is disposed on a side surface of said cover plate, and includes a capacitor body, and a pair of positive and negative contacts disposed on said capacitor body and connected respectively and electrically to said terminals of said start cable unit.
 5. The blower as claimed in claim 4, wherein said switch device includes a switching key disposed on and extending from said cover plate in a direction away from said mounting recess, and a socket unit disposed on said cover plate and extending into said mounting recess, said switching key being operable to switch said socket unit between ON and OFF states, said socket unit including four conductive plates in electrical contact with said terminals on said positive and negative cables of said electrical cable unit of said power source device and on said positive and negative cables of said power cable unit of said driving device, respectively, said terminals on said grounding cables of said electrical cable unit of said power source device and said power cable unit of said driving device being in electrical contact with each other so as to interconnect said grounding cables electrically.
 6. The blower as claimed in claim 5, wherein said driver housing further includes a housing body defining said first accommodating space, said housing body having a first end wall abutting against said fan housing, a second end wall opposite to said first end wall, and a peripheral wall interconnecting said first and second end walls, said first and second end walls being formed respectively with first and second openings in spatial communication with said first accommodating space, said second opening being covered by said first screen plate, said mounting recess being formed in an outer surface of said peripheral wall.
 7. The blower as claimed in claim 6, wherein said fan housing of said housing unit includes a hollow cylindrical shield connected to said driver housing and in spatial communication with said first opening in said driver housing, and an exhaust tube extending from a periphery of said shield in a tangent direction and having an end distal from said shield and defining said exhaust port, said second accommodating space being defined by said shield, said shield being formed with an opening that is spaced apart from said first opening in said driver housing and that is covered by said second screen plate.
 8. The blower as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fan blade unit includes an inner end plate connected to said motor of said driving device and rotatable about said axis, an outer end plate parallel to and aligned with said inner end plate along said axis, a plurality of main blades connected between said inner and outer end plates and arranged around said axis, and a plurality of auxiliary blades extending from said inner end plate in a direction away from said main blades and toward said driving device.
 9. The blower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driver housing further includes a housing body defining said first accommodating space, a main support seat connected fixedly to and disposed under said housing body, and two spaced-apart auxiliary support seats extending from said main support seat and disposed under said fan housing for supporting said fan housing.
 10. The blower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driver housing further includes a housing body defining said first accommodating space, a main support seat connected fixedly to and disposed under said housing body, and an inner positioning seat extending upwardly from said main support seat into said first accommodating space, said housing body having a first end wall abutting against said fan housing, a second end wall opposite to said first end wall, a peripheral wall interconnecting said first and second end walls, and a plurality of spaced-apart upper positioning portions disposed at said peripheral wall, said inner positioning seat having a plurality of horizontal lower positioning portions, said driving device including a motor for rotating said fan blade unit, and a plurality of connecting plates extending from said motor and connected respectively and fixedly to said upper and lower positioning portions.
 11. The blower as claimed in claim 10, wherein said driver housing further includes a grip member connected to and disposed above said peripheral wall of said housing body. 